<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
1ST QUARTER 1998 FORM 10-Q OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          14,200
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  408,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                    45,400
<INVENTORY>                                     27,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               485,900
<PP&E>                                       4,910,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,168,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,815,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          621,500
<BONDS>                                      1,146,400
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        69,900
<OTHER-SE>                                     622,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,815,300
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               527,100
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  413,100
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 90,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             56,400
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                       15,500
<NET-INCOME>                                    71,900
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.06